A/N Thanks to mrskaz453 for reviewing the last chapter I really appreciate it.

Sorry it jumps around a bit but I had to get everyone in the right places for the last chapter.

Chapter 7

Maggie was trying to stay calm, trying to convince herself there was a reason Glenn hadn't shown up for their prearranged lunch date. Whenever their work rotas allowed it they tried to meet as often as possible, still not used to be apart so often. It was unlike him not to show.

After the meeting with Eugene and the revelation that Daryl was still alive and in the city, they had decided to pretend nothing had changed. They would carry on as normal for now, all the time trying to get hold of weapons. Eugene had told them Tasha was already trying to get Daryl out and he'd informed them of the planned attack on the W. Rick was instantly on the lookout for a safe house to move Carl and Judith into at the first opportunity.

Michonne had told them about the book of names and professions and Maggie was aware that Glenn was the only other name not listed, as well as Daryl. She didn't believe in coincidence, she knew he'd been taken.

Tasha and Chrissie exchanged exasperated looks as they dashed out after Daryl. One second he'd been behind them as they attempted to slip away from the bunker, the next he'd raised the rifle taken from the young soldier and dashed out, heading straight for the soldiers in the courtyard.

"So much for a quick getaway" Chrissie muttered as she tackled a soldier from behind, bringing the unsuspecting man down as Tasha clubbed him with her handgun. Chrissie scooped up his weapon, using it to take out another man. Tasha fired as well, taking down the armed man about to fire on Daryl. He was firing indiscriminately as he fought his way towards the truck and the motionless figure lying beside it. Tasha and Chrissie reached his side, the three of them laying down enough firepower to keep the remaining troops under cover, unable to return fire accurately.

"What the hell?" Tasha demanded, glaring at Daryl "Thought we agreed we were coming back with more man power"

"Bastard's got Glenn, aint leaving him behind" he indicated the fallen man, hearing Tasha sigh beside him.

"We'll cover you, grab him so we can get the hell out of here" she ordered. Daryl handed her the rifle and scooped up the younger man, hoisting him over his shoulder. With Chrissie in front and Tasha bringing up the rear, moving backwards as she kept up a hail of bullets, they worked their way towards the courtyards exit.

Chrissie made it through the gate, turning to help cover Daryl and Tasha when she saw the soldier on the roof. Quickly she raised her gun and fired. Her aim was true and the man fell but not before he got a shot off. Tasha felt the pain in her shoulder and lost her grip on her gun, stumbling back from the impact of the bullet. At once the cowering troops rose from hiding and began to return fire. Daryl propped Glenn against a wall and turned back, intent on getting to Tasha but Chrissie was already there. She lay down a continuous stream of bullets giving Tasha time to pull herself to safety. Collecting Glenn again the small group made a run for it, losing themselves in the streets of DC.

The screaming had stopped a while ago and now the walkers were just aimlessly wandering around in the tunnels. Dean had got to the camp and managed to raise the alarm but the walkers had been on them before they could all escape. Those left had fought hard, trying to hold the walkers back giving the others a chance to get to away but they'd been badly outnumbered. Dean was one of the last to go, plunging his knife into the skull of one as another ripped into his back. As he felt himself torn apart seeing the bodies of his friends scattered around him he could only hope that some of the others had made it. The last thing he heard was the distant sound of gunfire.

Chrissie had guided them to another safe house and was using some of the supplies left there to patch up Tasha's shoulder. The bullet had passed cleanly through but the wound still required cleaning and a couple of stitches.

Tasha eyed the other woman as she worked on her injury.

"Thanks" she said grudgingly "Thanks for getting me out of there"

Chrissie gave her a small nod.

"If I hadn't he would" she indicated Daryl, keeping watch at the window "and we needed him to get the other guy out" Chrissie studied Tasha for a second.

"I never made a move on him you know" she said quietly "I wanted to, had plenty of chances but I thought you two were really married and I don't hit on married men. When I knew the truth I had the chance again, in the last safe house before we got captured but I didn't 'cos I knew it's you he wants" she gave a soft laugh.

"Doesn't mean I don't flirt with him but that's more 'cos I love the panic on his face when I do it" she confessed, surprised when Tasha laughed.

"He really doesn't have a clue how to deal with that does he?" she chuckled.

Daryl heard both the women laughing and was relieved they seemed to be getting on. The last thing he needed was the two of them trying to kill each other, they had enough problems already.

Glenn was laid out on the bed, sleeping off a massive headache. He'd come round long enough for Chrissie to get some painkillers down him and to explain that he'd been on his way to meet Maggie when he'd been snatched up by the troops. He told them Eugene had found them and explained the situation then curled up on the bed and drifted off into a deep sleep.

The first of the walkers stumbled out onto the street, the sound of the gunfire had caught their limited attention and drawn them to the station, the sound of voices from those passing by pulled them towards the steps and now they had found their way outside. It didn't take them long to claim their first victims.

Abraham had returned to the barracks and after some discreet questioning and subtle conversations he had found several soldiers who disagreed with Senator Russell and her plans. They had agreed to help him and the rest of the group in removing her from power. They loaded the back of a jeep with bags of weapons and made their way to a building just outside the safe area.

Rick and the others were there, Glenn's disappearance meaning they had given up all pretence of co-operation. Now they were gearing up for war.

"We'll take the hotel, make our way to the penthouse where she lives and deal with her and her people" Rick's plan was basic and ruthless but he could see no alternative. Quietly they began to prepare themselves.

Daryl was still watching from the window when the solitary figure stumbled into view.

"It's Gregg" he hissed "looks hurt".

Chrissie dashed down the stairs and threw open the door as Gregg reached it. Quickly she pulled him inside, slamming the door behind him.

"Thank God I found you" he wheezed as he fought for breath "This is the third safe house I've checked"

"It's all going wrong, Russell's on to us. She sent geeks into the tunnels, we couldn't get everyone out in time, it was a massacre "he gabbled, clinging on to Chrissie as she supported his weight.

"It's down to us now, we have to take her out" He pulled himself upright, following Chrissie upstairs.

Tasha was sitting on the bed, next to Glenn, when the two of them entered the room. She was sure she saw a flicker of annoyance on the man's face when he saw Daryl at the window.

"You made it as well" he exclaimed, seemingly pleased to see the hunter unharmed so she decided she probably imagined it.

Between them they decided they no longer had anything to lose and came up with a plan. It was simple, it was dangerous and it was probably suicide. They would find a way into the hotel, work their way to the penthouse and relieve Senator Russell from power, one way or another.

They rested up for a couple of hours, made themselves eat something and checked over their meagre supply of weapons. Glenn awoke, headache gone and ready to get some payback. Finally, as darkness began to fall, they were ready.

"You gonna be okay?" Daryl asked Tasha when he noticed her favouring her injured shoulder. She gave him a tight grin.

"I'll be fine, I've had worse" she told him as she hoisted her rifle onto her back.

"How about you?" she indicated the bruises that littered his face and arms, her hand resting gently on his ribs, just brushing the strapping still there.

He glanced up at her, blue eyes peering out from under his overlong hair.

"I've had worse" he quipped as they stepped cautiously into the darkening streets. It took a long time to make their way to the W. They had to keep ducking out of sight from the many troops on the streets.

"Somethings wrong" Gregg commented "There's more soldiers out than usual and they seem worked up about something"

They were only a couple of blocks away when the sound of battle reached them. Shouting and gunfire echoed around as they inched closer. They saw soldiers protecting the front of the hotel as they came under attack from the buildings and surrounding streets.

Squinting through the darkness and smoke Daryl made out some familiar faces.

"It's Rick and the others" he exclaimed "Guess the shit hit the fan while we were gone" he peered out again "Looks like they got some troops on side as well"

He, Tasha and Glenn were about to move towards their friends when Gregg stopped them.

"There's a way in through the underground carpark" he told them "We can use this distraction to get inside"

It was agreed that Glenn would go to Rick and the others, filling them in on the stealth attack on the penthouse. Daryl, Tasha, Chrissie and Gregg would make their way inside and work their way to the upper floors.

They were almost at the entrance to the carpark when the three walkers came at them. One grabbed Chrissie, snagging her jacket and pinning her to the wall as she struggled with it, unable to use her weapons. Tasha and Daryl used knives, efficiently putting down the other two as Gregg pulled the one from Chrissie, throwing it to the ground and crushing its head with his boot.

"You alright?" He demanded as Chrissie pulled her jacket back over her shoulder.

She gave him a small nod and turned away, quickly joining Tasha and Daryl as they made their way inside the carpark. Slipping through a door into the lower levels of the hotel they hurried up several flights of stairs, finally coming out into a long corridor.

"Have to use the elevator to get to the penthouse, there's no stairs" Gregg told them.

Screams from outside caught their attention and Chrissie hurried to the full length window overlooking the street.

"Looks like the geeks have found their way out of the tunnels" she told them "They're going for the soldiers" Daryl and Tasha joined her, watching as the soldiers were slowly overwhelmed by the walkers.

Tasha didn't know what instinct made her turn but she did, in time to see Gregg raise his gun, aiming directly at Daryl. She saw his finger tighten on the trigger and, knowing she didn't have time to shoot back, she reacted instinctively. She heard the blast of the rifle as she crashed into Daryl, knocking him to one side. She heard Chrissie yell and the sound of another shot as she fell, a blinding pain in her side as she hit the plush, carpeted floor.

Thanks for reading. Last chapter up soon.